Detroit father killed trying to protect child from neighborhood shootout

Detroit police say a 48-year-old father was fatally shot in the back last night while trying to protect his child from a neighborhood shootout on the city's west side.

Fox 2 reports two groups -- possibly fighting over a stolen car -- began firing at each other around 7:30 p.m. near Littlefield and Chalfonte. The father heard gunfire from up the street , went outside to find his child and was struck by one of the 24 shots fired in the melee.

"It looks like he caught a stray bullet in the back from these two groups of idiots," Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans told the television station.

"What can you say? It's senseless. It's crazy. He did what a father had to do, and it looks like he paid the ultimate price for it."

WDIV reports the unidentified father died at a local hospital. A second man -- allegedly involved in the shootout -- was also injured and is currently under police guard as he's treated for his wounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 SPEAK UP.